Counting people is never as easy as it sounds. When you’re trying to pin down the number of transgender youth in America, you aren't just looking at a spreadsheet. You're looking at a snapshot of a generation that talks about gender in a way their grandparents—and even their parents—barely recognize.
Honestly, the numbers might surprise you.
For a long time, we relied on old data that made it seem like being transgender was an incredibly rare "one-in-a-million" thing. But as of early 2026, the data from the UCLA Williams Institute and the CDC paints a much more detailed picture. It’s not just a "coastal" thing or a "big city" thing.
It's everywhere.
The Core Statistics: Breaking Down the 724,000 Estimate
According to the most recent comprehensive analysis released by the Williams Institute in late 2025 and carried into this year, roughly 724,000 youth ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. identify as transgender.
That’s about 3.3% of that age group.
To put that in perspective, imagine a high school with 1,000 students. Statistically, about 33 of them would identify as transgender. It’s a significant enough number that most people now likely know a trans person, even if they don't realize it.
Where do they live?
There's this weird myth that trans kids only exist in California or New York. The data says otherwise. While Hawaii has the highest percentage of trans youth at around 3.6%, the Midwest and the South have massive populations.
In fact, because the South has such a high overall population, it actually has more transgender youth than any other region. We're talking hundreds of thousands of kids living in states like Texas and Florida.
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- Midwest: 3.4%
- Northeast: 3.1%
- South: 3.2%
- West: 3.3%
The differences between regions are actually pretty tiny. Basically, kids are coming out at similar rates regardless of whether they’re in a "blue" state or a "red" state.
Why the Number of Transgender Youth in America is Rising (Or Seems To Be)
If you look at the 2017 numbers, the estimate was around 150,000. Now it's over 700,000. That’s a massive jump.
Why?
It’s not because being trans is "contagious." Researchers like Jody L. Herman and Andrew R. Flores point out that our data collection has just gotten way better. In the past, the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) didn't even ask about gender identity. Now it does.
When you actually ask the question, people give you an answer.
Also, social stigma is dropping for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Kids today have the vocabulary to describe how they feel. They see trans creators on TikTok, read about them in news cycles, and see them in movies. It’s easier to identify as something when you actually have a word for it.
The College Plateau
Interestingly, some 2025 data from the Society for Evidence-based Gender Medicine (SEGM) suggested that while the numbers among college students (ages 18-22) hit an all-time high of nearly 6.7%, they might be starting to level off. This suggests we might be reaching a point where everyone who is trans feels comfortable saying so, and the "growth" will stop as the data catches up to reality.
The Gap Between Identity and Medical Care
There is a huge misconception that every one of these 724,000 kids is undergoing surgery or taking hormones.
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That is factually incorrect.
A study published in early 2025 in the Journal of Health Economics and Outcomes Research found that a very small fraction of transgender youth actually access medical transition.
- Diagnosis: Only about 18,000 youth in a sample of 5 million had a formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
- Medical Intervention: Less than 1,000 were on puberty blockers.
Basically, the number of transgender youth in America who are socially transitioning (changing names, pronouns, or clothing) is much, much larger than the number of youth receiving medical treatments. For many, "being trans" is a social and personal identity, not a medical journey—at least not during their teen years.
The Impact of State Laws in 2026
We can't talk about these numbers without talking about the law. As of this year, over 25 states have enacted some form of ban or restriction on gender-affirming care for minors.
KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) data shows that roughly 50% of all trans youth in the U.S. now live in states with these restrictions.
This has created a "migration" effect. About 9% of transgender adults reported moving states in the last year specifically because of politics, and families with trans kids are following suit. If you live in a state where your child’s healthcare is suddenly illegal, you start looking for the exit.
The Mental Health Reality
The Trevor Project’s 2024 and 2025 surveys show that this political environment has a heavy cost. Nearly 46% of trans and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year.
However, the data also shows that when these kids have at least one gender-affirming space—like a supportive school club or a home where their pronouns are used—the risk of suicide drops by about 40%.
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What This Means for the Future
The numbers tell us that transgender youth are a permanent and visible part of the American landscape. They aren't going away, regardless of what happens in courtrooms or state legislatures.
If you're a parent, educator, or just a curious neighbor, the best thing you can do is look at the people behind the percentages.
Actionable Steps for Navigating This Data
Check your sources. If you see a headline claiming "millions" of kids are getting surgery, it’s probably wrong. Stick to the Williams Institute, the CDC, or peer-reviewed journals.
Understand the difference between identity and transition. Most trans youth are just trying to get through high school. They're focused on exams, sports, and friends. Identifying as trans is often about being seen for who they are, not necessarily about a medical checklist.
Support local resources. With many states cutting funding for LGBTQ+ programs, local community centers are becoming lifelines. Whether you agree with the politics or not, ensuring kids have safe spaces prevents the worst-case outcomes highlighted in the mental health data.
The data is clear: the number of transgender youth in America is steady and significant. As we move further into 2026, the focus is shifting from "how many are there?" to "how do we support the ones who are here?"
The answers to that second question will define the next decade of American social life.
Next Steps for You
- Review the Williams Institute 2025 Report for state-specific breakdowns of youth populations.
- Look up your local school district’s policies on gender-neutral facilities to see how they align with current youth demographics.
- Compare the YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey) data from 2021 to 2025 to see the trend lines in your specific region.